Turkey wants to join the case against Israel at the ICJ

2024-08-07 14:01:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Turkey will submit a request on August 7 to formally join the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Turkey has repeatedly criticized Israel for bombing Gaza during the war against Hamas, the Palestinian group declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, supports the Palestinian cause and has condemned the "barbarism" of Israel, a state which, according to him, "has continuously shown its intention to implement massacre policies".

The ICJ has already ordered Israel to do everything possible to prevent genocide during its offensive, which it launched in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas. However, the court did not order a ceasefire. The ICJ has also ordered Israel to take all necessary action to ensure that the Palestinian population of Gaza has basic food supplies, and in May, the court called for a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah. Gaza.

"The legal team of our Parliament will on August 7 submit a request to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to join the case," Erdogan said after a meeting of the presidential cabinet on August 5.

"Therefore, we will make the official application on behalf of Turkey."

Turkey is one of the countries most critical of Israel's military actions in Gaza.

Hamas also has support from Israel's arch-enemy, Iran. Regional tensions have increased in recent days, after the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in Tehran on July 31.

Iran has directly blamed Israel, which has not claimed responsibility for the killing. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed a military response, risking bringing the entire region to the brink of war.

Erdogan has condemned the killing of Haniyeh, describing it as a "disgusting act" that aims to undermine the Palestinian cause and discourage and threaten the Palestinian people.

The Turkish leader has often compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adol Hitler, saying that Israel's treatment of Palestinians amounts to genocide and that the state should be punished at the highest international levels.

Erdogan has also criticized Western countries for the support they provide to Israel, especially the USA.

South Africa brought the case to the ICJ in December 2023, arguing that Israel has violated the Geneva Convention with the alleged apartheid, occupation and blockade it has imposed on the Gaza Strip.

Dozens of countries have expressed support for the case against Israel.

But the USA, the UK and some other countries are against this case.

By joining the case at the ICJ, Turkey would submit a "declaration to intervene" joining the court proceedings.

The ICJ must formally approve Turkey's request to join the case.

"Turkey stands with Palestine during these difficult days of the [struggle] for survival and supports the Palestinian brothers and sisters with all means," Erdogan said on August 5./ REL